Book Of The Week: Master Musicians

Conductor Mark Elder opens this series of readings, marking the start of the Proms, with an account of Verdi's early life.

Having struggled to get a foothold in the world of music, Verdi suffered terrible setbacks. Trying to make ends meet, his wife sold her jewellery, but they were still destitute. Then, in quick succession, his son, daughter and wife died, leaving Verdi utterly bereft.

He turned his back on music, but the director of La Scala opera house nagged him to look at the libretto for a new opera, Nabucco.

Verdi took it home reluctantly, but by accident his eye fell on the words of the chorus of the Jewish slaves in exile.